Egg Prices Are Spiking — 7 Cheaper Alternatives
Written by
Angela Mae
Edited by
Zuri Anderson
Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
20 Years
Helping You Live Richer
Reviewed
by Experts
Trusted by
Millions of Readers
The price of eggs is once again on the rise. In the 12 months ending in August 2024, prices rose by 28.1%, higher than any other reported food category.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a dozen grade A large eggs currently costs $3.37 on average. That same carton of eggs would have cost $2.07 a year prior.
If the rising cost of eggs has you scrambling to find cheaper alternatives that still meet your nutrition needs, don’t worry. Here are six cost-effective substitutes that can be easily incorporated into everyday meals.
Protein Substitute
One large egg has roughly 6 grams of protein, so if you’re looking for a protein substitute, you’ve got options.
“Pair flaxseed and applesauce with protein rich foods like legumes, whole grains and nuts,” said Trista Best, MPH, LD, and a registered dietitian at The Candida Diet.
This can still get you the protein you need and, if you’re conscious with your spending, you could end up ultimately spending less.
Some ways to keep costs low here are to buy in bulk, go with generic brands and make your own applesauce.
Fortified Yeast or Plant-Based Milk
Eggs contain a large number of essential vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, K, B1, B2, B5, B6, B9, and B12. The egg white itself has higher amounts of vitamins B2, B3 and B5.
If you’re cutting out eggs, you may need a substitute for these essential vitamins. According to Best, fortified yeast and plant-based milks are two great alternatives.
Fortified yeast in particular is rich in the B vitamins. As for plant-based milks, options include soy, oat and almond.
Choline Alternatives
Another important nutrient in eggs is choline, which helps regulate your mood, memory and muscle control. According to Best, nutritious substitutes include “soybeans, broccoli and quinoa.”
By adding in these alternatives, you can rebalance your meals to still get the essential nutrients you need. And again, you can buy in bulk or purchase generic options to save money.
Flavor and Texture Replacements
If you’re worried about missing the flavor or texture eggs provide, there are ways around this, too. In fact, Best offered two suggestions.
“Combine plant-based milks with nutritional yeast to achieve egg-like flavors in dishes,” she said. “Crumble and sauté tofu with turmeric, nutritional yeast and vegetables to create a scrambled egg substitute while also achieving the same nutritional value of eggs.”
Notably, you can also substitute eggs with something else when baking. Applesauce is one option, but you can also combine baking soda and vinegar to create a natural leavening effect.
Beans and Lentils
Another cheaper alternative to eggs are beans and lentils. These are cheap, versatile proteins that can add a lot to any savory meal.
For example, you could create vegan sloppy joes using red lentils. Or you could make a beans, rice and spinach dish for a hearty nutritious breakfast.
Oatmeal
Like eggs, oatmeal is a popular breakfast option. It’s also generally cheaper if you purchase the store brand option. And since it tends to come in a large container, it’ll last a lot longer in the pantry than eggs would in the fridge.
You can also add sliced bananas to a bowl of oatmeal to cover your bases. Not only will the bananas add essential vitamins and minerals like potassium, but a single cup of oatmeal has about 5.55 grams of protein.
Other Eggs
There’s not always a perfect substitute, but if you want to keep eggs in your diet, you might want to look for more affordable options at the store — like non-organic ones.
Even though eggs have become more expensive, they’re still a go-to dietary solution for many. The solution is simply to reconsider how you go about adding them to your diet.
“[Eggs are] healthy, affordable and cost roughly one tenth of beef per gram of protein,” said Tom Flocco, CEO at Pete & Gerry’s. “They are also more sustainable and leave one of the smallest carbon footprints of any protein source.
“The idea of ‘breakfast for dinner’ is an increasingly popular way for families to stretch their food dollars for cost-effective meal planning.”
More From GOBankingRates
